Opinion · Alabama Court Opinions
MUSSELMAN v. COLONIAL BANK, 554 So.2d 973 (Ala. 1989)
Charles W. MUSSELMAN, Jr., & Hilda F. Musselman v. COLONIAL BANK OFNORTH Ala., formerly d/b/a The Bank of Huntsville., 554 So. 2d 973 (Ala. 1989)
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- Opinion
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- Alabama Court Opinions
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- Alabama
- Date
- 1989-12-08
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- general
MUSSELMAN v. COLONIAL BANK, 554 So.2d 973 (Ala. 1989) 554 So.2d 973 Charles W. MUSSELMAN, Jr., and Hilda F. Musselman v. COLONIAL BANK OFNORTH ALABAMA, formerly d/b/a The Bank of Huntsville. 87-1120.Supreme Court of Alabama.September 29, 1989.
Citator
UpLaw has not yet analyzed MUSSELMAN v. COLONIAL BANK, 554 So.2d 973 (Ala. 1989). The absence of a flag is not a finding that it is good law.
MUSSELMAN v. COLONIAL BANK,554 So.2d 973(Ala. 1989)
554 So.2d 973
Charles W. MUSSELMAN, Jr., and Hilda F. Musselman v. COLONIAL BANK OF
NORTH ALABAMA, formerly d/b/a The Bank of Huntsville.
87-1120.
Supreme Court of Alabama.
September 29, 1989.
Rehearing Denied December 8, 1989.
Crawford S. McGivaren, Jr., Sara E. Akin of Cabaniss, Johnston, Gardner, Dumas O'Neal, Birmingham, and Robert Willisson of Willisson Tucker, Huntsville, for appellee.
The issues are whether the Musselmans waived any claims they had against the Bank by renewing a promissory note to the Bank and whether the conflicting nature of the testimony presented by the plaintiffs and the defendant precluded summary judgment.
The plaintiffs stated the following claims in their complaint:1
"1. That defendant committed fraud, misrepresentation and deceit through its preferential treatment of D.L. Putman, a director of the Bank, by selling him the inventory and accounts receivable and not crediting those payments to plaintiffs' indebtedness. Plaintiffs maintain that such sales would have eliminated their indebtedness to the defendant.
"2. That defendant acted in a tortious manner by using economic duress to force plaintiffs to submit to the 'voluntary foreclosure' of May 11, 1982, in an effort to harm plaintiffs and assist or treat preferentially D.L. Putman.
"3. That defendant committed a tortious and intentional interference with plaintiffs' business by its actions of foreclosure, economic duress, pressure and the preferential sale to D.L. Putman of the inventory and accounts receivable.
"4. That defendant had a fiduciary relationship with plaintiffs and that it used that relationship in an improper manner and committed fraudulent concealment and fraud in its improper and fraudulent handling of the accounts receivable so as to prevent the application of those payments made for the accounts receivable to reduce or extinguish plaintiffs' indebtedness to defendant.Page 974
"5. That defendant has acted in a tortious and outrageous manner in its attempt to ruin plaintiffs financially and take their business assets, expectations and homeplace.
"6. That defendant has committed conversion of money and assets due to be applied to plaintiffs' indebtedness.
"7. That defendant has been negligent and/or wanton in its mishandling of accounts receivable paid and not properly credited to plaintiffs' indebtedness.
"8. That defendant has breached its implied and express contracts with plaintiffs to apply accounts receivable paid or received to plaintiffs' indebtedness.
"9. That defendant violated its own internal policies and federal regulations in an effort to harm plaintiffs and to the benefit of one of its directors in a tortious manner.
"10. That defendant entered into a civil conspiracy with D.L. Putman to accomplish the acts set forth above.
"11. Plaintiffs maintain that defendant disposed of collateral owned by plaintiffs but pledged to defendant in a commercially unreasonable manner by selling the accounts receivable to a director of the Bank as described earlier. Moreover, those accounts receivable were then allowed to be pledged [so] as to secure a note for an entity which was fictitious. The day after the bill of sale was signed, a promissory note was taken out by Common Sense Computer Systems, Inc. for $225,000.00 which pledged as collateral these accounts receivable."
The facts, as presented by the Musselmans and the Bank, are in conflict. The facts, viewed in a light most favorable to the Musselmans (against whom the summary judgment was sought), are as follows:
Charles Musselman was the primary stockholder and president of a computer software company named Office Systems of America, Inc. ("OSA"). In 1981, OSA received several loans and letters of credit from The Bank of Huntsville. From March 1981 to June 1981, OSA's indebtedness to the bank increased from $300,000 to $585,000. During that same period, OSA's financial condition began to deteriorate. Musselman met with the president of the Bank, Joe Weed, to discuss the possibility of receiving additional loans from the Bank. According to Musselman, Weed suggested that he approach D.L. Putman, one of the Bank's directors and OSA's landlord, about Putman's becoming an investor in OSA. Musselman met with Putman the following day. Putman agreed to become a partner with Musselman, and Musselman reported this to Weed. After Putman became Musselman's partner, OSA's liabilities increased substantially. Meanwhile, the relationship between Putman and Musselman began to deteriorate.
In January or February 1982, Musselman, Putman, and Weed met to discuss a lawsuit that was pending against OSA. Musselman alleged that, during this meeting, Putman presented a plan to cause OSA to become bankrupt and to transfer its assets to a corporation named Furniture Information Systems, Inc. ("FIS"). The ownership of FIS would be transferred from Musselman to Putman. The transfer of a portion of the OSA assets would be accomplished by OSA's defaulting on the money it owed the Bank, turning over certain of its assets to the Bank as collateral, and then allowing FIS, at an undetermined time, to repurchase the assets. Musselman claims that Weed told Putman that he could not agree to such a deal because it was fraudulent, but that Putman angrily responded that the Bank's board of directors had already agreed to accept the proposal. Weed assented to the proposal.
Musselman contended that he had objected to the proposal because he felt that OSA would prevail in the lawsuit against it. Musselman argued that he had agreed to go along with Putman's proposal for the Bank to foreclose on the assets of OSA because he was pressured into doing so and he had needed to "buy some time." He said that he had felt pressured, because, at or about the time of this alleged fraudulent proposal, he and his wife had pledged their home to the Bank as collateral on one of the notes. Musselman stated that Weed and Putman told him not to worry aboutPage 975his house because the note on which the house had been pledged as collateral would be paid off.
In May 1982, Putman acquired 100% ownership of FIS. On the same day, OSA surrendered to the Bank its accounts receivable, equipment, and inventory. As of that date, OSA's indebtedness to the Bank was approximately $726,000.
On May 14, 1982, Musselman filed a petition for bankruptcy. Nearly three weeks later, FIS signed a contract with the Bank to allow FIS to collect the accounts receivable owned by the Bank and to allow FIS to keep 30% of anything it collected.
On June 14, 1982, the Bank's officer loan committee (of which Putman was a member) met, discussed, and ratified the collection agreement between the Bank and FIS.
On August 16, 1982, Putman and Musselman signed an agreement whereby Putman would assume all of OSA's liabilities, except the note that was secured by Hilda Musselman's house. (Musselman had transferred his interest in the house to his wife because of the threat of being sued personally.) Putman also agreed to pay $2,000 per month for six months on the note secured by the Musselmans' house. After this, OSA would pay $2,000 per month until the note was paid (if OSA was earning $2,000 per month).
On August 30, 1982, the Bank, as evidenced by a bill of sale signed by its president, Weed, sold the inventory that OSA had surrendered to it on May 11, 1982, to FIS for $243,154.77. The sale of this inventory was reflected by Putman's personal guarantee to pay off the $243,154.77.
In another bill of sale signed by the president, Weed, and dated the same day, OSA's accounts receivable were sold by the Bank to FIS for $158,513.31. Weed later denied that the sale of the accounts receivable to Putman ever took place. Musselman contended that Putman (and FIS) never signed a note to pay the Bank for the transfer of the accounts receivable. Musselman further argued that the Bank kept this transfer a secret and that it never intended to give him credit on his note, which was secured by his house, as the August 16, 1982, agreement between Putman and Musselman required. Weed testified in his deposition that the proceeds from the sale of the accounts receivable were to go towards paying off the Musselmans' loan.
Current and former Bank employees gave conflicting testimony about the documents and transactions concerning the sale of the accounts receivable. President Weed stated, contradicting his earlier statements, that the accounts receivable had never been sold. His secretary at that time stated that she typed up the bills of sale that were to go to Putman. She stated that, although she typed a note to pay for the inventory, she did not type one for the accounts receivable. The Bank's compliance officer, Lorna Jo Bridges, stated that she was told by Weed that the parties voided the bills of sale. The Bank's auditor, George Walker, testified that Weed had told him that the accounts receivable were sold to FIS because OSA had a "bad name." The chairman of the Bank's board of directors, William Collins, stated that the accounts receivable had been sold to Common Sense Computers, Inc. (the successor corporation to FIS).
On April 1, 1983, when the balance on the note secured by the Musselmans' house came due, the Musselmans renegotiated and signed another note for $134,174.63.
On appeal, Musselman contends that the record is replete with evidence of insider trading and preferential treatment by the Bank in favor of its director, D.L. Putman, and that only through discovery was he able to uncover numerous acts of deception on the part of the Bank. Specifically, Musselman argues that the Bank had surreptitiousily hidden a $158,000 bill of sale for accounts receivable, payment of which should have extinguished the $134,174.63 note that was secured by Musselmans' house.
Essentially, Musselman maintains that there were four notes outstanding, three of which had been personally guaranteed by D.L. Putman, the fourth having been personally guaranteed by Musselman. MusselmanPage 976readily admits that he renewed the note, but he claims that he did so under the threat of losing his house and without knowledge that the accounts receivable had been fraudulently sold.
Musselman insists that the Bank falsely induced him to agree to a "voluntary foreclosure" on May 11, 1982, whereby he released his accounts receivable and inventory to the Bank. He argues that the Bank sold the inventory for approximately $243,000, and Musselman claims that the sale of the inventory completely paid off the three notes on which Putman was the guarantor, but that none of the money from the sale of the inventory was applied to Musselman's note. Musselman says that he later discovered that the accounts receivable had also been sold for approximately $158,000 and yet nothing was ever applied to the note secured by the house. Musselman maintains that the receipt of the money from the sale of the accounts receivable constituted an effective accord and satisfaction of his $134,174.63 debt. In essence, Musselman argues that while he twice renewed the note on which his house was pledged, he did so under the mistaken belief that the accounts receivable had not been sold, and he argues that he was not privy to all the essential facts when he renewed the note and, therefore, should not be precluded from asserting the tort claims against the Bank.
The Bank argues that the Musselmans waived any claims they might have had against it when they renewed the note on April 1, 1983, because, at that time, they had knowledge of the board of directors' actions with regard to the accounts receivable.
InHolczstein v. Bessemer Trust Savings Bank,223 Ala. 271,278,136 So. 409(1931), this Court held that when a party alleged fraud after renewing a note, "the subsequent renewal of the note after knowledge of said fraud was a waiver of the defense." The Bank argues that the Musselmans fully intended to sue the Bank prior to the April 1, 1983, renewal of the note. The Bank further contends that the Musselmansknewthat they were going to sue the Bank, and were going to sue on the very claims now being made for fraud, breach of contract, and mishandling of collateral.
The deposition of Charles Musselman reveals that he was uncertain about what had transpired with the accounts receivable:
"A: Okay. But let me answer. But I did not know what had happened to the receivables. That has nothing to do with receivables.
". . . .
"But I was still in hopes that the accounts receivable and the things would be collected and paid off. I knew I couldn't pay for it, making the kind of money that I made.
"Q: You knew that the inventory had not been sold?
"A: The bank still owned it, so Joe said.
". . . .
"A: No, sir. If I did, I don't remember. Because until we saw those bill of sales, about a year and a half later, we had no earthly idea. Because, again, Joe Weed's testimony in October of '83, he testified the bank still owned that stuff. I believe I am correct in that. I may not be, but I think I am."
The deposition testimony of Musselman and his auditor that the Bank cites to show that Musselman knew of the fraud is not conclusive. Although it does conclusively show that Musselman and his wife intended to sue, it does not show that either of them knew what had happened to the accounts receivable. In fact, the Bank's chairman of the board, its president, its president's secretary, its compliance officer, and its auditor each had a different account of what happened to the accounts receivable. The affidavit in which Weed denied that the accounts receivable were sold to Putnam was not filed until 1986. Thus, the alleged pattern of deception was not concluded until well after the suit was filed.
Because of the substantial conflicts in the facts as given by the employees of the Bank and by the Musselmans, we hold that there are genuine issues of material fact asPage 977to all counts, and, therefore, summary judgment was improper.Booth v. United Services Automobile Ass'n,469 So.2d 1281,1282(Ala. 1985). Rule 56(c), A.R.Civ.P.
The judgment is reversed and the cause is remanded.
REVERSED AND REMANDED.
HORNSBY, C.J., and JONES, SHORES, ADAMS, HOUSTON and KENNEDY, JJ., concur.
MADDOX and STEAGALL, JJ., dissent.
The depositive issue, in my opinion, is whether the Musselmans, by renewing the note on April 1, 1983, effectively waived all claims and assertions against the bank that they otherwise might have been entitled to pursue. Stated differently, having renewed the note, had they waived their right to sue, as a matter of law?
Musselman contends, and the majority agrees, that the record is replete with evidence of insider trading and preferential treatment by The Bank of Huntsville in favor of one of its directors, D.L. Putman, and that only through discovery was he able to uncover numerous acts of deception on the part of The Bank of Huntsville. Specifically, Musselman argues that the bank had covered up the fact that it had sold the accounts receivable for $158,000, the receipt of which should have extinguished the debt evidenced by the $134,174.63 note that was secured by Musselman's house.
Essentially, Musselman maintains that there were four notes outstanding, three of which were personally guaranteed by D.L. Putman, and that the other note was personally guaranteed by him. Musselman readily admits that he renewed the note, but claims he did so under the threat of losing his house and without knowledge that the accounts receivable had been sold.
Musselman insists that the bank falsely induced him to agree to a "voluntary foreclosure" whereby he released his accounts receivable and inventory to the bank. He argues that the bank sold the inventory for approximately $243,000. Musselman claims that the sale of the inventory completely paid off the three notes on which Putman was the guarantor, but that none of the $243,000 from the sale of the inventory was applied to his note. Musselman points out that he later discovered that the accounts receivable had also been sold for approximately $158,000, and yet nothing was ever applied to his personal note. Musselman maintains that the money received from the sale of the accounts receivable constitutes an effective accord and satisfaction of his $134,174.63 note. In essence, Musselman argues that while he twice renewed the note on which his house was pledged, he did so under the mistaken belief that the accounts receivable had not been sold and that, because he was not privy to all the essential facts when he renewed the note, he should not be precluded from asserting the tort claims against the bank. The majority agrees with him, and in doing so, upsets the law of waiver, in my judgment.
It is generally accepted that the renewal of a note, with knowledge of facts that otherwise might be used as a defense to obligations under that note, effectively waives those defenses. See generally, 11 Am.Jur.2dBills and Notes§ 391 (1963). In 10 C.J.S.Bills and Notes§ 278, p. 766-69 (1938), it is stated:
"As between the original parties to a note and transferees who are not holders in due course, a renewal note is open to all the defenses good against the original note, in the absence of a new consideration, waiver, or estoppel. For example, under such circumstances the renewal note is open to such defenses as mutual mistake, at least where it was not discovered until after the execution of the renewal note, want or failure of consideration, fraud, usury, forgery, gambling debts, or other illegality, where such defense is available against the original note. This rule does not apply, however, where a note is taken in payment and not in renewal.Page 978
"Where the defense is such that it can be and is cured by the renewal, it cannot be urged. Thus one who gives a note in renewal of another note, with knowledge at the time of a partial failure of the consideration for the original note or of false representations by the payee or of fraud in the execution of the original note, etc., waives such defense and is estopped to set it up to defeat or to reduce a recovery on the renewal note, even though it was in the hands of a holder with knowledge of such fraud at the time of the renewal; and this rule also applies where the original instrument was a forgery and was claimed to be such by the maker of the renewal instrument. On the other hand the giving of a renewal note can amount to a waiver of such defenses where it is given with full knowledge of all material facts, and with intention clearly manifest to abide by the contract, and, of course, the mere giving of a renewal note does not waive such defenses where the right to assert them against the renewal note is expressly reserved, or where the renewal note itself is procured by fraud, as where the renewal was executed on the false representations of the holder of the original note that he was a holder in due course. Although it has been held that a renewal did not constitute a waiver of such defenses, even though the maker by due diligence could have discovered the facts,it is generallyheld sufficient to constitute a waiver if he hadknowledge of facts sufficient to put him oninquiry, or if, by the exercise of ordinarydiligence, he could have discovered the facts." (Emphasis supplied.)
See also,Madison Nat'l Bank v. Lipin,57 Mich. App. 706,724,226 N.W.2d 834,843(1975), wherein it was stated, " 'The execution of a renewal note constitutes a waiver of a previous defense only where the defendant had knowledge of the defense at the time of the renewal.' "
InHolczstein v. Bessemer Trust Savings Bank,223 Ala. 271,136 So. 409(1931), this Court held that the bank was entitled to the affirmative charge and upheld the defendant's liability on a promissory note held by the bank, in a case in which the defendant debtor claimed that his signature on the original note was secured by fraud and misrepresentation and that he was therefore not liable for the debt. The facts of that case were that, as part of the purchase of a business, McElhenny's co-defendant, Holczstein, had taken over the seller's debts to the bank by making a note that McElhenny later endorsed. McElhenny claimed that, prior to his endorsement, the bank's president had misrepresented to him the condition of the business. McElhenny subsequently endorsed several renewal notes. He further claimed that he had signed the last of these renewal notesunder threat of suitby the bank president, who had fraudulently represented "that [McElhenny's] signature was nothing more than an endorsement." This Court held that"thesubsequent renewal of the note after knowledge of said fraudwas a waiver of the defense."223 Ala. at 278,136 So. at 415.
In the instant case, it is apparent that the Musselmans had knowledge of potential claims against the bank at the time they executed the renewal note. Musselman stated at his deposition that when they executed the renewal note in April 1983, they "pretty well knew" that a law suit against the bank was imminent:
"Q. When did you file suit?
"A. I don't remember the date. In '83.
"Q. What were you told when you renewed this $134,000 obligation in April, anything?
"A. April of '83?
"Q. Yes.
"A. Well, I knew then that we had problems. I mean, it was very obvious, as I have already testified, that nothing was going to be done by this bank, and that's the reason we are in the lawsuit today.
"Q. You knew that at the time you signed the note?
"A. That's right. But I had no choice except to sign the note or have my house taken. So, we had to file suit and sign the note.Page 979
"Q. But you knew at the time you signed the note?
"A. I signed the note only to keep from being foreclosed upon, is the only reason I signed it, and to buy some time.
"Q. And that was on April 1, 1983?
"* * * *
"Q. Is that a copy of your complaint?
"A. Yes, it is.
"Q. Mr. Cates filed that complaint for you?
"A. Yes.
"Q. Did you review that complaint before it was filed by Mr. Cates?
"A. Certainly did.
"Q. In this complaint that you filed or was filed on your behalf, yours and your wife's behalf, Mr. Musselman, you make reference to the fact that money has not been — that the note is not — there is no amount owing on the note that's referred to here, is that correct?
"A. As far as I am concerned there is no amount owing on it.
"Q. You say that if the collateral, which the bank had taken into its possession, was applied, the amount — that no amount would be due?
"A. Obviously.
"Q. Is that right?
"A. Yes.
"Q. Now, there was nothing that you learned in that regard between April 1, 1983, and the date this suit was filed, May 10th, 1983, was there?
"A. From the standpoint of what had actually transpired, the answer is no.
"Q. Okay.
"A. But we were firmly convinced that something had been taking place, but we did not know what.
"Q. Whatever you knew about all of that at the time this lawsuit was filed, you knew at the time you signed the note on April 1?
"A. I don't understand your question.
"Q. Well, you didn't get any new information between the time you signed the note on April 1, 1983, and the time this lawsuit was filed on May 10th, 1983, did you?
"A. We got enough information to believe that we needed to file a lawsuit.
"Q. In that period of time?
"A. I think so, yes. Yes, I do.
"Q. New information or was it information that you had at hand on April 1?
"A. April 1?
"Q. Yes, sir.
"A. Oh, no. When I signed the note April 1, we pretty well knew what we were going to do.
"Q. Okay, thank you. And when you say you pretty well knew what we were going to do, that meant sue the bank, just like you have testified to?
"A. That's correct.
"Q. Right. The note that was executed by you and your wife on September 17th, 1982, was an individual note, wasn't it?
"A. I am afraid it was.
"Q. Right. And that note was secured by the mortgage on her home?
"A. That is correct.
"Q. And there was a renewal of that obligation on April 1, 1983, and both of you again signed a note, is that correct?
"A. That's correct.
"Q. And that note was again secured by your house?
"A. That's right."
Further evidence tending to show that Musselman had knowledge of potential claims against the bank on the date of renewal of the note is found in L.C. Clendenon's deposition testimony.
Clendenon, a certified public accountant, was the accountant for OSA from its beginning until the end of 1981. Sometime in April or May of 1982, Clendenon was retained by Musselman to advise him and his wife and to negotiate for them with Musselman's partner, D.L. Putman, concerning the dissolution of Musselman's and Putman's business relationship.
Clendenon continued to advise Musselman and to represent Musselman through August 16, 1982, when Musselman and Putman signed their settlement agreements.Page 980
During the spring and summer of 1982, Clendenon met with Musselman and the Musselmans' attorneys numerous times to discuss Musselman's situation and his options. Throughout this time, Clendenon made notes of items that he either discussed or was going to discuss with Musselman. The notes dated July, 19, 1982, were entitled "reasons for settlement in lieu of court action." It appears from Clendenon's notes that during the summer of 1982, the very claims that the Musselmans now assert against the bank were discussed. Indeed, a lawsuit against the bank for damages from the "release of collateral," "failure to credit the accounts receivable against the Musselmans' notes," and "insider dealing" was discussed by Clendenon, Musselman, and the Musselmans' attorneys prior to the execution of the Musselmans' note in September 1982. Clendenon testified as follows:
"Q. Right, sure. Were these discussed with Mr. Musselman? [referring to Clendenon's notes of July 19, 1982].
"A. Sure.
"Q. Okay, let's go over these and let's see what we have discussed with him.
"A. All right.
"Q. 'Monetary Loss,' that is talking about losing more money, is that right?
"A. Sure.
"Q. Okay, 'B. Software of OSA/FIS would have to be turned over to the Trustee for his disposition for the satisfaction of creditors.' And there you are talking about the Trustee in Bankruptcy of OSA or FIS or whoever?
"A. Yes, sir.
"Q. Okay, 'C. Musselman would have no alternative but to sue [T]he Bank of Huntsville for damages from the release of collateral. Bank foreclosed but did not collect the receivables or sell the equipment. No credit against notes. Possibility of insider dealing with Bank and D.L.' Is there any more elaboration on that or is that note sufficient in itself?
"A. I think it is pretty self-explanatory.
"Q. Okay, 'D. If all the above occur the monetary loss of both parties —' and I take it that you are talking there about Mr. Musselman and Mr. Putman, both parties?
"A. Sure."
It is undisputed that before the note was renewed on April 1, 1983, the Musselmans, as a matter of law, had knowledge of facts sufficient to put them on inquiry concerning the very subject matter of their lawsuit. Even with this knowledge, the Musselmans renewed their note with the bank. As a result of the renewal of the note, the Musselmans obtained written confirmation from the bank stating that they had been released from all of their obligations as guarantors of OSA's debt to the bank, with the exception of the one that they had assumed in their individual capacities in September 1982. After obtaining the written acknowledgement of the release, the Musselmans filed the subject suit against the bank.
After having heard oral arguments, and upon study of the record and briefs, and cognizant of the burden on the movant to show the absence of a genuine issue of a material fact, I would hold that the trial court did not err in granting the bank's motion for summary judgment. In my judgment, it is undisputed that the plaintiffs were cognizant of the very claims that they now assert against the bank, and that Musselman and his advisors actually contemplated the option of filing suit against the bank on the claims presented in this suit before the note was executed. Musselman's deposition testimony and the notes of L.C. Clendenon, Musselman's C.P.A., show that not only were the Musselmans aware of the facts on which their claims are based, but that the Musselmans were also counseled on the same claims now asserted; therefore, by executing the note in September 1982, and again in April 1983, the Musselmans waived whatever claims and defenses they otherwise might have been able to employ to escape their obligations under the note, as a matter of law.
I would affirm the trial court's judgment; therefore, I dissent.
STEAGALL, J., concurs.Page 981
- Plaintiffs filed suit on May 10, 1983, and amended the complaint on September 10, 1985. ↩